[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 3, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34718-34719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15600]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-253-AD; Amendment 39-9675; AD 96-13-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300,
400, 500, 600, and 700 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to all Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500,
600, and 700 series airplanes, that currently requires supplemental
structural inspections to detect fatigue cracks, and repair or
replacement, as necessary, to ensure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes. This amendment adds and revises certain significant
structural items for which inspection and repair or replacement is
necessary. This amendment is prompted by a structural re-evaluation
conducted by the manufacturer, which identified additional structural
elements where fatigue damage is likely to occur. The actions specified
by this AD are intended to prevent reduced structural integrity of
these airplanes.
DATES: Effective August 6, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of Fokker SIP Product Support
Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through August 1, 1995,
as listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal
Register as of August 6, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of Fokker SIP Document 27438, Part
1, including revisions up through November 1, 1991, as listed in the
regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal
Register as of October 21, 1992 (57 FR 42693).
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Fokker Aircraft USA, Inc., 1199 North Fairfax Street,
Alexandria, Virginia 22314. This information may be examined at the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate,
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth E. Harder, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-1721; fax (206) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 92-19-07,
amendment 39-8365 (57 FR 42693, September 16, 1992), which is
applicable to all Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600,
and 700 series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on
April 10, 1996 (61 FR 15906). The action proposed to supersede AD 92-
19-07 to continue to require a program of supplemental structural
inspections (SIP) to detect fatigue cracks, and repair or replacement,
as necessary. The action also proposed to add and revise certain
significant structural items (SSI) for which inspection and repair or
replacement is necessary.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received.
Support for the Proposal
The commenter supports the proposed rule.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with as proposed.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 34 Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300,
400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes of U.S. registry that will be
affected by this AD.
The actions that are currently required by AD 92-19-07 take
approximately 295 work hours per airplane per year to accomplish, at an
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact on U.S. operators relative to the requirements of the
previously-issued AD that are retained in this new AD action is
estimated to be $601,800, or $17,700 per airplane, annually.
The new actions that are required by this new AD action will take
approximately 179 additional work hours per airplane per year to
accomplish, at an average labor rate of
[[Page 34719]]
$60 per work hour. These actions include the implementation of the
inspections, repairs, or replacements specified in the revisions to the
SIP Document into an operator's maintenance program; as well as
removal, inspection, and installation of structure. Based on these
figures, the cost impact on U.S. operators relative to the new
requirements of this AD is estimated to be $365,160, or $10,740 per
airplane, the first year and annually thereafter.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-8365 (57 FR
42693, September 16, 1992), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), amendment 39-9675, to read as follows:
96-13-07 Fokker: Amendment 39-9675. Docket 95-NM-253-AD. Supersedes
AD 92-19-07, Amendment 39-8365.
Applicability: All Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600,
and 700 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent reduced structural integrity of these airplanes,
accomplish the following:
Note 2: Information collection requirements contained in this
regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number
2120-0056.
(a) Within 6 months after October 21, 1992 (the effective date
of AD 92-19-07, amendment 39-8365), incorporate into the FAA-
approved maintenance program the inspections, inspection intervals,
repairs, or replacements defined in Fokker Structural Integrity
Program (SIP) Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through
November 1, 1991; and inspect, repair, and replace, as applicable.
The non-destructive inspection techniques referenced in the SIP
Document provide acceptable methods for accomplishing the
inspections required by this AD. If any cracking is detected,
inspection results must be reported to Fokker in accordance with the
instructions of the SIP Document.
(b) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD,
incorporate into the FAA-approved maintenance program the
inspections, inspection intervals, repairs, or replacements defined
in Fokker SIP Product Support Document 27438, Part 1, including
revisions up through August 1, 1995; and inspect, repair, and
replace, as applicable. The non-destructive inspection techniques
referenced in the SIP Document provide acceptable methods for
accomplishing the inspections required by this AD. If any cracking
is detected, inspection results must be reported to Fokker in
accordance with the instructions of the SIP Document.
(c) Cracked structure detected during the inspections required
by paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD must be repaired or replaced,
prior to further flight, in accordance with the instructions in
Fokker SIP Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through
November 1, 1991; or Fokker SIP Product Support Document 27438, Part
1, including revisions up through August 1, 1995; respectively; or
in accordance with other data meeting the certification basis of the
airplane which is approved by the FAA or by the
Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD).
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(f) Certain of the actions shall be done in accordance with
Fokker SIP Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through
November 1, 1991. The incorporation by reference of that document
was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of October 21,
1992 (57 FR 42693). Certain other actions shall be done in
accordance with Fokker SIP Product Support Document 27438, Part 1,
including revisions up through August 1, 1995. The incorporation by
reference of this document was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. Copies of either document may be obtained from Fokker Aircraft
USA, Inc., 1199 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on August 6, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 13, 1996.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-15600 Filed 7-2-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U